Journal/Blog

My Encounter with Buddhism by Fiona Howlett 

I became interested in Buddhist Philosophy as an 18 year old, after reading a book on Zen wisdom. At the age of 25 I travelled through Thailand and Vietnam, and visited some of the Buddhist temples in Bangkok and Hanoi. The experience stayed with me, and that interest in Buddhist Practice and Philosophy remained at the back of my mind waiting for the right time to explore it.

I became quite sick with an auto-immune disease after the birth of my second child, after treatment and a third baby the disease returned and I was left feeling tired and unwell. Motherhood was really emotionally and physically draining, and I was also struggling with trying to teach my children good morals and guide them positively in a world so focused on how material items, new toys and gadgets measured a person’s happiness.

It was around November 2013 that I jumped online and was lead to the Dharma Realm at Bonogin. They had information on their website about meditation classes on a Sunday morning.  I contacted the organisation and asked whether I could attend the next session. I was greeted with such warmth and encouragement to attend. My first meditation session was definitely an experience, I found it very difficult to sit quiet and still for 30 minutes, whilst my mind raced and my knees ached. I thought that I could never get through the meditation without the circulation being completely cut off from my knee to my ankle. I suddenly felt my foot itching terribly, but I didn’t want to move. After what felt like 5 hours the bell rang and the 30 minute meditation session was over.  I’m glad to report that the wonderful Dharma Teacher Rev Heng Chih explained that meditation takes practice, and it was normal to feel some pain and racing thoughts. Meditation aims to slow down the mind, and allow the chi energy to flow throughout the body.

I kept attending, every Sunday, and every Sunday it started to become easier and easier to calm down my mind, the pain started to lift and I began to understand the power of meditation.  I also became engrossed in the Buddhist teachings that would follow the meditation session and have felt privileged to listen to Rev. Heng Sure, Rev. Heng Chih and Jin He speak about Buddhist Philosophy.

I continued to read more books about Buddhist Philosophy, including books by Ajahn Brahm and Thich Nhat Hanh. I was able to use the teachings at the Dharma Realm, and all the books I was reading to start really making changes in my life. Incorporating mindfulness, the six guidelines given by Master Hsuan Hua, the 5 precepts and the noble path I started to really discover that life didn’t need to be dominated and controlled by what capitalist society dictated to individuals through mass marketing and media. My children are also benefiting from these teachings, as we talk about Karma and how to be a good, compassionate person. We also appreciate all the life around us, the environment, the animals, plants and people who are all equally valuable and worth our time and care.  I recently decided to take Refuge and start my spiritual path through the teachings of the Dharma. I can’t speak highly enough of the Dharma Realm and the wonderful community of Monks and Nuns who have opened their home, hearts and wisdom to me. As a newcomer to Buddhism, I have felt at times unsure of the correct customs and ceremonies, but everyone has been so kind, patient and caring, and has really nurtured and guided me. I would recommend anyone wishing to explore this beautiful, peaceful and wise philosophy of Buddhism to not hesitate or wait, as the benefits it has to offer are boundless.  To date my autoimmune disease has not returned, I am happier, calm and more accepting of everything in life. I feel my children are really benefiting from my new outlook on life, and their interest in Buddhist practice is beginning to grow. Thanks to everyone at the Dharma Realm for welcoming me. 

by Fiona Howlett

18歲那年，一本禪學智慧的書讓我對佛教哲學產生了興趣。6年以後，25歲的我在泰國和越南旅遊時，拜訪了曼谷與河內的佛教寺院。那次的經歷聯同我對佛教修行與理念的興趣一直追隨著我，在我的腦海裡迴旋，等待合適的時機來臨去進一步的探索。

生了第二個孩子後，自我免疫系統的疾病讓我病得很嚴重。治療以後，我生了第三個孩子，可是疾病也隨之捲土重來。我變得總是感覺疲倦與不舒服。作為母親，本身就很情緒化，身體也時常疲勞，何況我還疲命與以良好的品德教育我的孩子們，引導他們在這個物慾橫流的世界裡積極向上。

大概是2013年11月份，在網絡上瀏覽時我被帶到了在Bonogin的法界網址。當時網頁上有週日早上禪修的信息。我聯繫了法界咨詢自己是否可以參加。歡迎我的是溫暖的問候以及鼓勵我參加的話語。第一次的禪修對我來說絕對只是一次體驗。我發現在妄想紛飛與膝蓋疼痛的情況下，自己很難安靜不動的坐上30分鐘。我想，禪修結束後我的血液循環一定會被阻斷了。而且突然我的腳也開始麻癢不堪，但是我不想動。引磬聲結束了30分鐘的禪修，我卻感覺像是5個小時一樣難熬。我很高興的和大家分享尊敬的恆持法師曾經講過，禪修需要練習，禪修時感覺疼痛和妄想都是很正常的。禪修旨在減緩思維並且讓氣在身體裡運轉。

我堅持參與週日的禪修，每一次的修習都讓我感覺思想越來越容易平靜，疼痛逐漸減輕，我開始體會到禪修的力量。每次禪修以後的佛法開示我也很喜歡，長老恆實法師、長老恆持法師以及近合法師的開示都讓我珍惜。

我繼續閱讀佛法方面的書籍，包括AjahnBrahm與ThichNhatHanh。在法界學到的知識和我所讀的書籍讓我有能力真正的改變我的生活。運用正念、宣化上人的六大宗旨、五戒和正道這些知識以後，我發現生活可以不用被資本主義社會通過大量的廣告媒體所灌輸給我們的方式而主宰和控制。當我們談論到因果討論如何成為一個善良慈悲的人時，我的孩子們也從這樣的佛法中受益。我們珍惜周圍的一切生命，環境、動物、植物和人類在價值上是平等的，他們也需要我們的時間與關懷。最近我決定皈依三寶，用佛法來指引我的精神追求。我無法用語言完全表達法界和那裏的法師們給我的幫助，他們用心和智慧讓我融入他們的大家庭。作為一名佛教的新成員，我時常不確定自己對於道場和法會的規矩是否掌握正確，但是每個人對我是如此的和藹、耐心與關懷，他們真正滋潤了我的心靈引導我成長。如果有人想要探尋佛學的美麗、平靜和智慧，我建議你不要猶豫或等待，因為佛法對你的幫助是無窮的。至今我的免疫系統疾病都沒有再復發，我比以前更快樂、平靜和接受生命中的一切。我感覺我的孩子們也從我的生活新面貌中真正的獲益，他們對於佛教修行的興趣也開始增長。感謝在法界的每一個人對我的歡迎。